Church Lady

“In the Temple, there was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher” (Luke 2:36).

            Within every Parish, there are a number of people I like to call “characters.” There is the “fundraiser” who takes charge of any fundraising campaign and always seems able to get people to donate money regardless of the cause. There is the “organizer” who takes charge of all Parish activities and no matter how many difficulties arise, always makes things run smoothly. There is the “youth leader” who comes up with ideas for Parish events for young people and gets them to participate and often run them. And then, there is the “church lady.” She is often an older woman who is waiting each morning when you open the Church and is the last one to leave the Church as you are locking up after Mass. If she is involved in any Parish group it is never in a leadership capacity. Her appearance reveals she is neither a professional nor wealthy. Her behaviour seems a little unusual and she becomes the butt of a few jokes by other parishioners. In some ways, she represents the ordinary people whose Faith is strong but ignored.

            In this passage from Luke, the parents of Jesus encounter Anna, an elderly widow, who has spent most of her life fasting and praying in the Jerusalem Temple. By doing so, she makes a connection between Christ and the people who are simply pious.

            As a widow, Anna would likely have been poor and vulnerable unless protected by her male relatives. Along with orphans, widows were considered especially close to God who heard their cries when they were treated unjustly. Families were expected to include widows in all their activities and support them in their old age. According to the Jewish Law they were permitted to gather unharvested crops from vineyards and grainfields. Like Joseph and Mary, Anna does not seem to have been part of the Religious or Social establishment. Despite her piety, she probably had a limited knowledge of Judaism. All she had to keep her going was her trust in God.

            Anna was probably the “church lady” of her time. It is always easy to recognize the other “characters” I mentioned in a parish. These are the people who make things happen and Parishes need them. After all a Parish does require money to pay the bills. Successfully organized events help build the sense of community which is critical for the health of every Parish. If any Parish is to have a future it must have activities which appeal to and involve young people. Yet, there are people who don’t have the education or skills to contribute much to such activities. What about the people with poor self-esteem and so lack self-confidence. Remember the kid at school who was always slow when learning to read, usually had no friends with whom to play at Recess, was often picked last when choosing teams in Gym or was told by Teacher “you will never amount to anything.” Some of those kids grew up to become the “church lady.”

            People like that often don’t contribute much to a Parish activities but they do have faith and that is their gift to us. Perhaps they know that although others may have given up on them, God has not. As the days, weeks, months, and years pass, they show up in Church to pray (maybe for themselves, their families, their fellow Parishioners or their Pastor), light Votive Candles and bring some Holy Water home. Their Faith is simple but strong. Few Parishioners notice them; many don’t even know their names. But God knows who they are and they come to Church for him.

            During this Pandemic, the individuals who make things happen (Medical Researchers, Doctors, Nurses etc.) are getting a lot of well deserved attention. Yet there many people whose contribution to preventing the spread of Covid 19 will never be recognized like those who wash their hands frequently, wear a mask and social distance. They visit elderly neighbours and listen to their kids talk about their fears. Perhaps the “church lady” can teach them an important lesson. Lasting results only come from doing the right thing for as long as required. Success is measured not by where one is at present or if other individuals are noticing one’s efforts. It demands strong faith which means: trusting in God; full commitment to the effort; and the patience to await the result.

            Anna the “church lady” of her time was rewarded with encountering Christ. The reward  for today’s “church lady’ might be to show us how we can survive Covid 19.

December 30, 2020